How do you survive as infidel?

[Gooner]

I'm trying to play as a Norse Buddhist Count in Sicily in the earliest starting date. I've failed 2 times already. One of these things kill me:
1. Some kind of revolt numbering like 1.5-2k and sometimes reinforced to 3k.
2. My liege (sometimes the Emperor himself, when I'm Duke) revoke my title.

It's bad enough nobody wants to have anything to do with me, but I can't seem to build up anything of real substance.

Anyone's got any tip on how to survive as a far-off infidel?

 

[Tryvenyal]

Use your marshal to reduce the provincial revolt risk. Counqour from the inside. I assume you are a vassal under Byzantine and theme of Sicely in 769? Your lieges is heretic and Zealous. He will revoke en- masse. Go for diplomacy. Keep your weak Theme alive longer than basileus. Closely watch the succession and have good relation to the heir.

Falsely convert to liege religion, keeping your budhism a secred might be a good idea.

You will have a hard time. You can't set up marriages or alliances. Game experience will be a bit restricted. Any sign of weakness and you are out Grand challenge! Good luck!

 

[Yeekim]

OT, but how'd you get an idea to become a Norse Buddhist in Sicily?

 

[Gooner]

OT, but how'd you get an idea to become a Norse Buddhist in Sicily?

Randomizer.

Or maybe I met a Swede who spent 10 years learning about Buddhism in Thailand and now wants to go become a chef in Italy

 

[Naughtius Maximus]

Uhhhhhh, if that duchy you own is not Sicily, good luck retaining any power in that kingdom. It's a bunch of two-three county duchies.....

But if you DO have Sicily, pretty sure you can take on the liege yourself.

 

[Michael Hunt]

OT, but how'd you get an idea to become a Norse Buddhist in Sicily?

It is a little niche....

 

[Gooner]

Uhhhhhh, if that duchy you own is not Sicily, good luck retaining any power in that kingdom. It's a bunch of two-three county duchies.....

But if you DO have Sicily, pretty sure you can take on the liege yourself.

It is Sicily. I have 4 of the 5 counties on the main island right now. Just missing the one on the bottom right and Malta.

Yes, I took on my liege easily enough, declaring war for independence. I won, and was made a viceroyal duke of Sicily soon after.

However, the emperor has disallowed all vassal war. I don't know how I'm suppose to blob now since marriage is out of the question. Can't see me taking on the emperor anytime soon. Even with 4 counties I have just over 1.5k

 

[kramsikrams]

It is Sicily. I have 4 of the 5 counties on the main island right now. Just missing the one on the bottom right and Malta.

Yes, I took on my liege easily enough, declaring war for independence. I won, and was made a viceroyal duke of Sicily soon after.

However, the emperor has disallowed all vassal war. I don't know how I'm suppose to blob now since marriage is out of the question. Can't see me taking on the emperor anytime soon. Even with 4 counties I have just over 1.5k

You can buy favors and use them to force marriages. Then I think you'll have to assainate all other heirs of the title You want. If you are a patient and loyal vassal the emperor might grant you more land that he conquers.
I did the hellenic revival starting as the one hellenic county at start and had similar problems.